The UFC International Fight Week culminates tonight and tomorrow. Since Wednesday, MMA fans and athletes invaded Las Vegas for a slew of athlete meet and greets, autograph signings and more. Now the weekend brings in two live events over two days: The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale and UFC 213: Nunes vs Shevchenko 2.
Friday, July 7th 2017
The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption
Michael Johnson vs. Justin Gaethje
The latest installment of The Ultimate Fighter sees a return of former gladiators looking for one last shot at UFC glory. After a hard fought series of battles from Team T.J. DillShaw and Team Cody Garbrandt, the finale is finally here.
The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Michael Johnson – The Menace is Back
Michael Johnson is ready to headline another card as he faces undefeated Justin Gaethje in the main event at The Ultimate Fighter – Redemption finale.
Headlining the card is top tier lightweight action from two fighters that were not competitors on the show. Michael Johnson (17-11) is a cagey UFC veteran and former Missouri wrestling standout who has been with the UFC since losing in The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 finale back in 2010.
He has 9-7 in the UFC Octagon, defeating notable fighters like Joe Lauzon, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, Edson Barboza and Melvin Guillard. In his last outing against feared Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 205 however, he was submitted in the third round. Johnson looks to get back in the win column on a huge headlining stage.
The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Justin Gaethje – Destined for the UFC
After an impressive showing on The Ultimate Fighter 25, Justin Gaethje believes he is ready to show the world that he belongs in the UFC. Don’t miss The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale this Friday, July 7 on FS1.
Justin Gaethje (17-0) is truly an underdog story. Coming from the now defunct smaller promotion WSOF, where he dominated as the lightweight champion, he now makes his long awaited debut on the big stage. Gaethje has fierce power in his hands and his 14 knockouts over competitors like Brian Foster, Drew Fickett, and Luis Palomino say volumes about this relative unknown.
He is coached by Trevor Wittman in Colorado, who has made champions like Shane Carwin and standout greats like Nate “The Great Marquardt. Gaethje hasn’t been waiting for this opportunity his entire career and with a headlining shot, he will be swinging for the fences in this pairing.
The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Looking for Redemption
Jesse Taylor and Dhiego Lima seek the ultimate redemption when they face off in The Ultimate Fighter Finale on Friday live on FS1.
Also on the card will be The Ultimate Fighter Redemption finale matchup between Dhiego Lima (12-5) and Jesse Taylor (30-15). Lima lost The Ultimate Fighter Middleweight tournament back in 2014 via first round knockout and went on to leave the promotion after going 1-2 in UFC competition. Since then, he went on to win a welterweight title in smaller promotion Titan FC, and is back now to regain glory in the Octagon.
The Ultimate Fighter Redemption Finale: Weigh-In Highlight
The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Johnson vs Gaethje competitors are weighed-in and ready to go tomorrow night at 9pmET / 6pmPT on FS1.
Taylor is an MMA journeyman who fought in the UFC once in 2008, where he lost via first round Peruvian necktie submission to CB Dollaway. Since then, he has amassed a worldwide resume, fighting top talent across the globe in smaller promotions. He possesses wins over Chris Camozzi, Jason Day, Kendall Grove and Denis Kang and looks now to return to the big leagues for a chance at redemption.
Catch all the action live tonight from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on FS1 at 9 pm EST / 6 pm PST.
Saturday, July 8th 2017
UFC 213: Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2
When Amanda Nunes (14-4) took out Ronda Rousey in the first round, she bested the feat that Holly Holm did a year prior with her second round KO of the once dominant champ. Since then, only one fighter has challenged her new reputation as the baddest woman on the planet, Valentina Shevchenko.
UFC 213 Countdown: Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko 2
Go inside the lives and of athletes preparing for title fights at Las Vegas’ annual flagship event. Bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes and challenger Valentina Shevchenko brace for a rematch in their adopted cities with the support of powerhouse females.
Shevchenko (14-2 MMA) is a true fighter. Having an undefeated professional boxing record of 2-0 while amassing an incredible Muay Thai kickboxing record of 58-2-1, the Russian-Peruvian fighter is a rare athlete indeed. She felt that her close unanimous decision loss to Nunes at UFC 196 in March 2016 was unfair and has longed for a rematch.
When Nunes defeated Miesha Tate for the UFC bantamweight title then destroyed the image of Ronda Rousey with a few punches, Shevchenko is on the war path to dethrone the Brazilian.
UFC 213 Free Fight: Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko 1
Amanda Nunes will defend her women’s bantamweight title against Valentina Shevchenko in the main event at T-Mobile Arena live on Pay-Per-View on July 8. The two talented bantamweights first met at UFC 196 in March of 2016.
The card also boasts great matchups between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker, Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem 3 and Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller.
Catch all the preliminary card action on FS1 at 8 pm EST / 5 pm PST and the pay-per-view action live at 10 pm EST / 7 pm PST.
